Discharge-actuated breech-loading gun.



y Patented Dec. I6, i902. i S. N. MCCLEAN. l DISCHARGE ACTUATED BREECH LDADING GUN.

'Application led Nov. 26, 1900.\ (No Nudel.)

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

b b www.;

gm. mass.

s. N. mecum.

DISCHARGE ACTUATED BREECH LOADING GUN.

Patented Dee. I6, 4i962.

V "Application iled Nov. 26, 1900.

(No Models) I sweets-sheet 2.

(Application l'ed Nav. 26, 1900.;

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(Nn Model.)

65K/Mw..

ing the breech mechanism. Preferably I do SAMUEL N. MCCLEAN, or CLEVELAND, omo.

DISCHARGE-ACTUATED BREECH-LOADING GUISJ.l

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0..7.15,83'9, dated December 16, 1902. Application iiled November 26. 1900. Serial No. 37,818. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern: v

Be it known that I, SAMUEL N. MCCLEAN, a resident of Cleveland, Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Discharge- Actuated Breech-Loading Guns,which invention is fully set forth in the following specification.

My invention relates to breech-loadingand discharge-actuated guns, and has for its object to utilize the force of the discharge for operating the gun and controlling the recoil.

Upon the discharge ot a piece offord nance a large amount of energy is .expended in a rearward direction, the effect of which is seen in the movement of'the large mass of the gum to the rear. Besides this rearwardly-directed energy there is also a largeamount of energy expended in a forward direction, as evidenced by the tremendous power of the forwardlymoving gases of discharge. Furtherm ore,the breech mechanism of large guns is frequently of such weight as to render a motor for operating the same quite desirable. The present invention, broadly stated, consists in opposing the forwardly-directed energy of the gases of discharge to the rearwardly-directed en-` ergy of the recoil to the. end that the recoily may be neutralized and the rearward recoil movement of the gun largely, if not entirely, eliminated. Moreover, the invention consisis in means for compelling the energy of recoil and of the gases of discharge to actinA oppositel directions -upon 'and compress an elastic gas, as air,whereby a portion of the energy of the discharge is stored insaidcompressed gas, and then utilizing the energy of this gas so compressed directly or indirectly as the power for operating the breech mechanism.

In carrying ont my invention I oppose a part attached to the gun-as, for example, a piston-to a part, which may also be a piston, actuated by the gases of discharge and provide means for confining a gas, such as air, between said parts, whereby the air is compressed, shock to the gun and its carriage is avoided, and the energy stored in the cornpressed air is rendered available for operatnot directly employ the air compressed between the two pistons as the motive fluid for operating the motor attached tothe breech mechanism, but utilize this air as a power forl compressing another supply of air in a suitable reservoir. 'This has the advantage that the air between` 'the pistons may have an initial tension imparted to it, and thus act to retain the parts in their proper relative positions when the gun is at rest.' The initial tension of the air within the brake-cylinder need not be very great, as sufficient movement of the opposing pistons is provided todevelop the high pressure required to neutralize the recoil. By this means I avoid the necessity of maintaining a constant high pressure within the brake-cylinder with the consequent leakage, as the high pressure is exerted only when the parts are under greatest stress and is then almost instantly reduced. f

In the particular embodiment of my invention shown herein I have attached a pneulmatic-brake cylinder to the guncarriage and provided a piston attached to the gun and moving rearwardly in the cylinder when the gun is tired. A second piston is placed in said cylinder to the rear of the first and is attached bya suitable rod to a sleeve surround.- ing the muzzle of the gun and provided with a suitable gas-nozzle for catching and controlling the gases of discharge and prolonge ing their action. This sleeve and attached gas-nozzle are givena su fticient travel or forward movement to enable them and their attached parts to acquire proper "velocity to eectually oppose and overcome the recoil of the gun. The gases are automatically controlled by the gas-nozzle to work at the ref quired pressure and for the proper length of time, and for this purpose the gas-nozzle may be provided with automatically operated valves for closing and opening the port through which the projectile passes. Preferably these valves are closed by the gases of discharge upon the initial forward movement of the nozzle and opened by the terminal rearward movement of the nozzle, the pressure of the gases within the nozzle being controlled by automaticallyfgoverned vents.

The breech-block employed is preferably Aof the interrupted-screw type havingturning, sliding, and swinging movements in opening` and closing the breech, and has these v.movements imparted to it by a single motor,

whose motive power is derived from the air IOO ' v ings on the carriage.

compressed by the combined action of the recoil and the gases of discharge. As shown, this is a pneumatic motor housed between the hingearrns of the carrier-tray and having its axis of rotation around the hinge-pin of the tray. The rotary movement of the motor around this pin serves to impart to the breechblock its turning, sliding, and swinging movements, whereby the breech is opened and closed. The motor is controlled by a suitable valve, which may be operated by a moving part 'of the gun upon recoil or counterrecoil or by hand, as desired.

Various mechanical expressions may be given to the inventive idea involved in the gun which I Vhave devised, and for purposes of illustration I have shownin theaccompanying drawings one form which the same may assume.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a held-gun embodying my invention, parts being shown in section. Figs. 1, 1b, and lc are details of the automatic device for operating the valve controlling the motor for the breech-block. Figs. 2, 3and 4 are details of the brake-cylinder, brake-pistons, and gas-nozzle. Fig. 5 isfa longitudinalsectional view of the gas-nozzle. Fig. 6 is a broken plan view of the breech of the gun,showing the breech-block and its operating-motor. Fig. 7 is a side elevation thereof with the breech open. Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the carrier-tray. Fig. y9 is a vertical 'section of the motor on line 9 9, Fig. 6. Fig. 10 is a horizontal section on the line 10 i0, Fig. 9, the controllingLvalve and its connecting-pipes ybeing shown in diagram. Fig. 11 is a top plan view ot lthe motor. Fig. 12 is a side elevation thereof". Fig. 13 is a longitudinal verticalsection through the gun, the gas-nozzleand/the brake-cylinder. Fig. 14 is a side elevation, and Fig. l5 a cross-section, of another form of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, 1 is the gun, mounted to slide in the cradle 2, supported upon trunnions 3, turning in suitable bear- The gun has side ribs or flanges 4, rigidly secured one ou either side thereof,which ribs enter grooved ways 5 in the cradle 2,whereby the gun is free to move in the cradle in a longitudinal direction only. The brake-cylinder 6 is supported at its forward end bythe cradle 2andatits rearend by means of a band 7, passing over the breech end of the gun loosely enough to permit the gun to move freely therethrough. Within the brake-cylinder is apiston 8, attached to a hollow piston-rod 9, extending out through the forward end of the-cylinder and fixedly secured to the gun by means of aband 10, carrying a downwardly-projecting arm 1l, the band 10 being shrunk or otherwise secured on the gun, so that it and its connected piston 8 partake of ythe longitudinal movements of the gun upon recoil and counter recoil. A sleeve 12 is mounted to reciprocate upon the muzzle end of the gun and has -a rearwardly-projecting rod 13 secured to the under side thereof.

which rod is made in two sections, as shown,

.so that its length may be adjusted, and bears on its rear end a piston 14. As sleeve 12 reciprocates on the muzzle end of the gun the forward section of the rod 13 isgnided in an opening 15, provided in the downwardly/projecting arm 1l of the sleeve 10, while the rearward section of the rod 13 passesithrough the hollow piston-rod 9 and the piston 8, so that the piston 14 on -said rod 13 occupies a posi' tion in the cylinder 6 to the rear of the piston 8, all of which will be readily understood by inspecting Figs. 3, 4, and 13. Referring more particularly to Fig. 5, it will be observed that the reciprocating sleeve 12 bears on its .forward end a gas-nozzle '16,V provided with an opening l? in line with the bore of the barrel. This nozzle is formed by a cylinder hav-- ing an internaldiameter exceeding that oi' the sleeve 12 and xedly secured to the forward end of said sleeve. Two swinging valves 19 are pivoted to the plug 2O in such manner that when they swing toward each other they close or partially close the port 17 in the plug v 20,- through which the projectile and the gases of explosion must pass to escape from the gun. These valves 19 are flap-valves provided with tail portions projecting beyond their pivots, the body of the plug 2O being cut away suiiiciently to permit the swing of the tails of said valves in their closing and opening move ments. line with the swinging movements of the tails of the valves 19 are two pins 21, having inwardly-projecting lugs 22, which engage the forward face of the muzzle of the gun when. the sleeve 12 and the nozzle 16 are in their rearmost position, the grooves in which the pins 21 play. being slightly longer than the s aid pins in order that the pins may slide rearwardly to permit 'the closing movements of the valves 19 when the sleeve 12 and the nozzle 16 are in their forward position and may be advanced so as to impinge upon the tails ot' the valves and open them when the nozzle is in the rearmost position, with the lugs 22 engaging the forward face of the muzzle of the gun. Any suitable vents for permitting the escape of the gas from the nozzle may be provided--as, for example, the vents 24, formed in the valves 19. The size of these Y vents will determine the length et time during which the gas will act upon the nozzle and hold it and its connected parts in a forward position, and therefore afford means whereby the action of\the gas may be regulated and controlled.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 6

tov12, inclusive, 25 is a breech-block of the mutilated screw-thread construction provided with worm-teeth 26 on the periphery of its rear end and a longitudinally-extending rack 27. A carrier-tray 28 is hinged to one side of the breech of .the gun` by means of a pin 29 extending' through lugs 3Q, projecting from the breech end of the gun, and arms 31,

l attachedto the tray. This breecinhlockand,

Mounted to slide in grooves 23 in- IOC) tray maybe of the ordinary eonstruetionlnd .heedf not therefore Vbefurther deseribe'dl The' Inotorgfor operatingthe breeoh-blookeis best shown in ,FigsL w12,l inclusivejand coni sit sists odfalsleeve?, keyed` to the pin 29 by fiifans ,bf ejkeyand havig verticallyriisprsed radially meeting' wing '34., .Thisthereoh,1as'w'ell as similar raekteeth l The motorcylinder is preferably',v ,in-i, lhsd in :2L-'easing' 40, fortified vof upperz hd lyver halves fof the' purposeof loouven'ieic'ze f*assemblage'andsuitable peeking 41 Yis intiodueedibetween thelsleeve 32', the motoryeiiti'ani'y 'leakage of the motor uid. The pintl -2,9 'has .formed therein longitudinal duets 42'and 43,whioh extend upward through ihe'f pntlefandliopen outward through the sleeve 32 into the oylinder 35, one on either` side otf the,wing"34, an'd thet 'cylinder 35 has a" radiallyformed, inwardly -projeoting wing 44,"(best" ieshownjy in'Fig. Y10,) which forms a the yvalve-casin'g y47,'-hav'in'g therein 'anysuitl able" valve for admitting pressure to one of the' pipes 45 and 46 and permitting it to esoape fromthe otheras nayl be desired. Thev ivalve-,herein shown yconsists of a cylindrical' 4o piston 48, playingin thecylinder'47-and havling an annular groove49 vformed between its ends. The/cylinder 47 has two ports 50 and '51 formed in its opposite end-s, oomniunieatr ing diretlyjwith the atmoephere,and midway between its -ends the' port 52, leading to the sourceofjfluidpressure; When'the vvalve is" in the` p os itionshovvn in Fig.- 510', pressure isy allowedto'eseape frein the motor-cylinder on-v one'sidefof the'wing 34y via duet 43, pipe.,45,f 50

and port-'50 in thelvalve-casing 47, while pressure ris-admitted to the motor-cylinder on theA opposteside of thelwing 34 viaport 5 2, an-

nular-'g'roove 49, pipe46, anddueti42l Since"A theisle'eve 32 and-lits wing `are keyed to the pin'29, whih is in turn held by piu 53 pass ine,l through thelpin 29 into. the lug `ElOonthe gun,the"wing 34`oaunotrevolve under the'f` --f @nuten-the er,

withdrawsaidbloelg intthe trayin-a mam 7o bottoni.thereon- .and located' immediately at', 75

the end f the rack.A 39 Opposite, f0.- thehvormn .block has been fn'ywipndpawn into the!" ,rf f

ner-tray the fame; or shoulder, 559,5 ,tirent 54,2

vadjoiningthe mok-3 9., abuis agaihsgaeerreg'o' spending shoulder ou the carriertra and the oontinued rotation Vofthe motor .oy,linde1f. eauses the tray to 'j -ing outward frornwthe; breech ofthe gun into-the position. shown 'ine dotted lines in Fig; @and in full lines'in Fig.',..l85

'7; Afpin 57 passes" through-l the upper arm@ 31 of the carrier-tray and has a. Vspring 358,.,-

'normally holding it in yits lowermost .or d e-upres'sed position. The lower pointpf thisfpin;v i

40 and enters a corresponding groove, Q'iny the top ofthe motor-cylinder, which groove. has al seat ordepressionf. 61 A formed-infone end4 thereof. L Anl arm' 6,2?projeets fromthe`-y upper 1ug30. and has a rearwardlyopening 95 passes through a slot 59 vin the motor-(easing 9o notch orslot formedfjtherein immediatelyabove' the slot 59 in the motor-easing.' The upper surface of the arm62 is beveled, "softhati ltheloweredge ofthe surface adjo'ns the open l ing of thegnot'oh formed in said arm@ The pin 57 has a head 63 :formed thereon, and.. 'this pin is held by its spring 58 with the' head 6 3projecting a slight distance above thesu'I'-, faceof the carrier-tralyarin 3 1.. 4YVhe'n' theV [pin is'in'the` position shown. inFig. '9''i t isfj'ros held by the arm 62 Awithjthe nose of the' :`pin; entering the slot 60 upon the upper surlfaeej` of the Amotor-eyliuderiv but lelevated',suffbf eiently so that 'the' pin doesl not eng'ageoiferi-y teriut'o the hole 6l, formed atthe end o f theI no slot 60, and the .motor-eylnder istherefore' free to revolve, independently of the ear# rier-tray. When,I however, 'the shoulder,}5 on the :motor-cylinder strikesftheksholulde 56 upon the carrileritray and swings- -the-'lat teriaway from the guh, the"headf63fo th pin is carried-off of the arrh 62 and the` ofthe 'pin enters the hole r'depre'ssfio lformed in the sl ot 60 upon the ,lriotoroylln ',der,v thereby lockingv the motor-'oylihdernd fIzo the tray together.y Upon thel'revese'- movefyu ment of the'motor theltnotr and .earieta are thus oom p elledto swing togethe the' head 6'3o'f` the pin-lis forced and the pointer," .,'viithirawfnl'fffro 'ihef"lolela in the, `wliiel'l'faet'ii1"oeeurs 'at' theintantwh n' lcarrierfis returned in"v position to "preentfthe-f breech-blockto the breech of 'the gun. ITpof l Ico' 39 or the motor engages' therack 37 on the if trolled by the valve48in the valve-casing 47.

after which the teeth 28 upon the motor en.- gage the worm 26 upon the block and v'tnrn'it -iv-nto its locked-position. f -An y suitablereservoir may be employed for 'storing the air compressed by the combined energy ofthe recoil and the gases of discharge, and any suitable means through which said' energies act to compress the air in such resprvoir may beemployed. I prefelghowever, to form the reservoiras'an integral part of thel pneumatic-brake cylinder and to compressthe" air in sai-d reservoir by the' counterrecoil action of the piston 14. The specic construction of this reservoirl and air-compressing means will be best understood by of the gun the piston 14 moves forward and air enters cylinder through valve 68 to the t rear of the piston, the valve *67 being heldl closed'f'b'y'the pressure Within the reservoir 65. vThe rearwardfm-ovementof the piston 14 compresses the air between the piston and .partition 66, whereupon the valve 68 closes 'and valve 67 opens, thereby permitting thev air to be compressed within reservoir 65.

As before stated, the admission of motive Huid from .the reservoir to the 'motor is con- (See Fig. 10.) E/lhis'valve4 may be operated vdeemed most, advisable.

struct it to be shifted by the 'counter-recoil A l'and 1c.

automatically bythe recoil 'or counter-recoil movements' of the. gun or by handas maybe Preferably 4I coninto'lposition to open the breech, Fig.10, andoperated by hand to shift it into position tion;

closethe breech.v For the purposeof auto-E, matically shifting the' valve by thevcounterf4 recoilmovement of the gun the valve is provided with a valve-stem 69, Figs. 1 and 10, having. a projecting cam-surface70 `formed thereon, and the valve is so mounted upon the reservoir as to locate this cam-surface 70 in thepa'th of a corresponding cam part 71, carried by the gun, as shown in Figs. 1,1, 1b,- In 'addition to the projecting cam 70 the ,valvestem'69 is provided with a handle 72, by which it may be revolved or have longitudinal movements imparted to it. By turning the valve-stem the control which the valveexercises over the motor is in no way aiected, but thelcam-surface on the stem can be placed in position where the cam 7l on the gun may engage it on counter-recoil,

Fig. 1b, or said cam-surface 7 0 maybe entirely removed from the path of cam 7l. (See dotted. lines, Fig. 1"', and-full lines, Fig. 1.) Preferably the stem is supplied with a 'spring I 73, which normally holds it in position for-the valve to be actuated by the counter-recoil.

ing toward: the shaft.

'Assn ming that the breech-block is to be automatically opened upon the counter-recoil ofthe gun and closed by hand manipulation of -the valve, the operation isas follows: The gunner grasps' the handlev 7 2 and turns the valve-stem against the tension of spring 73 until the cam-lug 70 is in the position shown in Fig. 1c and then depresses said stem till the 'lug 70 is behind the cam-arm 7l, thereby shifting th'eva-lve 48 from the position shown in 10 to 'the opposite end of its casing counter-'recoil .the cam 71 contacts .'wth cam 70 and lifts the pin1 as shown-in-Figs. 1, l, thereby shifting the valve 48 toy the position shown in Fig. 10 and admitting air tothe motorto open the breech, it being understood that in Fig. 1 the parts are lin, the position they occupy the instant the valve hasbeen moved and before the breech-block has been opened.

In Figs. 14 and 15 I have illustrated a modica'tion in which the elasticffiuidcushion.is interposed between two rotating, rather than.

reciprocating, parts attached one to the gun and one to the 'gas-chamber. In said figures the gun 1 has-side ribs 74, with racks on the under sides thereof meshing with gear-teeth on the oppositelyprojecting ends of a cylinder 75, supported transversely beneath the gun on a shaft 7.6, resting in bearingsv 77 on thel gun-mount. The shaft 76 has 4a radialg wing 78 secured thereto and projecting into the cylinder, and the'cylinder 75has a like wing 79 secured to its inner wall and project- Preferably the wings work with air-tight contact against th'ecylider and shaft, respectively. Keyed to the Alshaft 76 at the opposite ends of the cylinder 75 are gear-wheelsSO, and rods 81 are attached vto either side of the nozzle 12 and extend rearward, one on each side of the gun, and have on their rear ends racks 82, engaging the gearwheels 80, keyed to the shaft 76. In Fig. 14 is also shown side vent 83, of which there may be one in either side to vent the gas-chamber -when it has moved forward the desired dise In operation when the gun isredthetance. gas-nozzle acts to turn the shaft76 and its wing 78 in one direction, andthe gun act-s to turn the cylinder 75 and its wing-79 inthe opposite direction, compressing the air between iop them,wliich on its expansion returns the parts to their normal positions. 'It will be understood that the space indicated at 84 maybe provided with valves similar to valves 67 68, whereby air may be taken in on the recoil and forced or compressed 4into a reservoir on the counter-recoil.I

4It will be seen that I have devised a very sim ple means for Autilising the energies o f the recoil and of the gasesof discharge to operate the breech mechanism and that in operation said means also serve to materially reduce the disturbing induences of the recoil by opposing thereto tbeenergy of the gases of discharge.

What I claim isl. The combination with a gun, of a recoilactuated part, a gas-actuated part, and means confining an elastic-fluid medium between said parts.

2. The combination with a gun, of a recoilactuated part, a gas-actuated part, and means compressing an elastic-fluid medium by the movements of such parts upon the discharge of the gun.

3. The combination with a gun, of a recoilactuated piston, a gas-actuated piston, and means compressing an elastic-duidmedium by the movements ofthe pistons upon the discharge of the gun.

4l The combination With a gun, of a recoilactuated part, a gas-actuated part, said parts moving' toward each other when the gnu is fired, and means confining a duid medium between said parts.

5. 'The combination of a gun and gas-catching chamber moving in opposite directions when the gas is discharged. and means interposing an elastic-duid cushion between said parts.

6. The combination of a gun recoiling rearward, with a gas-catching chamber driven for- Ward by the gases of discharge, and means interposing an elastic-duid cushion between said parte.

7. ln a gun, the combination of a recoil-actuated part, Witlia gas actuated part, and .air-

compressing means raneonsly actuated by both of said parte.

8..y Thecombination of a gun reooiling rearward, with a gas-catching chamber driven forward i* the gases of discharge., and air-compressing means actuated by said gun chamber.

9. The combination of a gun recoiling rear- Ward, With a gas-catching chamber driven forward by the gases of discharge, pistons connected one to vthe gun and one to the gaschamber and moving toward each other when the gun is discharged, and means confining air between said pistons.

10. ln a gun, the combination of a recoilactuated part and a gas-actuated part, means confining and compressing air between said parts, and devices utilizing the energy of the air thus compressed to perform Work in manipulating the gun.

"11. The combination with a gun and its mount, of a gas-chamber carried by the grin, a recoil-cylinder carried by themount, and means operated by the gases of discharge vWithin the chamber'for increasing the pressure in the cylinder.

12. The combination with a gun andv its mount, of a gas-chamber carried by the gun, a recoil-cylinder carried by the mount, :means operated bythe gases of discharge within the chamber for increasing the pressure in the Y cylinder, and means forcontrollihg the escape of the gases from the gas-chamber whereby the action of thegases'is prolonged.

13. The combination with .a gun and its mount, ci?y a gas-chamber carrie-:i by the gun, having an opening forthe passage of the projectile, a'recoil-cylinder carried by the mount, means operated by the gases of discharge for increasing the pressure in the cyiinder, and automatic means for closing the opening in the gaschambe'r after the projectile has passed through.

le. Thecornbination ofagnn and its mount, with a gas-cir. aber carried by the gun and having an opening for the passage of the projectile, a recoil-cylinder carried by the mount, means operated by the gases of discharge for increasing the pressure in the cylinder, and an automatically operated valve acting to close the chamber after the passagepf` the projectile.

15. The combination with a gun, of a pneumatic recoil-cylinder, and means operated bjr the gases of discharge for increasing the pressure in Jthe cylinder.

1G. The combination Wit-lia gan, of a p'ne'ifmatic recon-cylinder, a gas-chamber carried the gun, means operated by the gases ofy discharge for increasing the pressure in the cylinder, and means for controlling the escape of the gases from the gas-chamber whereby the action of the gases is prolonged. l7.- The combination with a gun, of a recoilcylinder, a piston secured to the gun and movable in. the recoil-cylinder, and a second piston in rear of the rst piston also movable thin the cylinder, and gas-operated means for moving the second piston to compress the air within the cylinder.

i8. The combination with a gun, of a recoilcylinder, a piston secured to the gun movable in the recoil-cylinder, and a second piston also movable within the cylinder, a gas-chamber carried by the gun, gas-operated means for moving the second piston to compress the/ air within the cylinder, and means for controlling the escape of the gases from the chamber whereby the action of the gases is prolonged. n

19.. The combination `with a gun, of a pneumatic recoil-cylinder, a piston secured to theI gun and movable Within said cylinder, and a second piston in rear ofthe first piston within the cylinder forwardly driven by gases of discharge. f

2G. The combination with a gun, provided `with a gas-chamber, ofy a pneumatic recoilcylinder, a piston secured to' the gun and movable Within said cylinder, a second piston within the cylinder forwardly driven by the gases of discharge, and means forl controlling the escape of the gases from the chamber, whereby the action of the gases is prolonged.

2l. The combination with a gun, of a pneumatic recoil-cylinder, a piston securedfto the ICO ngo

" the escape of the gases from the chamber whereby the action of tbe gases is prolonged.

23. The combination with a gun, of a gaschamber'carried thereby, a pneumatic recoilcylinder, a piston secured to the gun and movable within said cylinder, a second piston in rear of the first piston, within the cylinder and .operatively connected with the gas-chamber. y 2.4. The combination with a gun, of a gaschamber carried thereby, and movablethereon, a pneumatic recoil-cylinder, a piston secured tothegun and movable within said cylinder, a second piston within the cylinder and v operatively connected with the gas-chamber.

25. Thecombination with a gun, of a gasehamber carried thereby, a pneumatic recoilcylinder, a piston secured to the gun and movable within said cylinder, a second piston within the cylinder and operatively connected with the gas-chamber, and means for controlling the escape of the gases from the gas-chamber whereby the action of the gases is prolonged.

26. rlhe combination with a gun, of a gaschamber carried thereby, and movable thereon, having an opening for the passage of the projectile, a pneumatic recoil-cylinder, a piston secured to the gun and movable within said cylinder, a second piston within the cylinder and operatively connected with the gaschamber, and means for automatically closing the opening in the chamber after the projectile has passed through, to prolong the action of the gas-chamber.

27. In a breech-loading gun, the combination ol' the breech-block, a motor for operating` the same,and means transmitting the energies of the gases of discharge and of the recoil to the motorto actuatethe same.

28. fin a breech-loading gun, the combination of the breech-block, a motor foroperating the same, air-compressing devices actuated by. thecombined energies of the gases of discharge and of the recoil, and means conducting the air so compressed to the motor.

29. In a gun, the combination of a breechblock and its operating-motor, with a recoilactuated part, a gas-actuated part, air-compressing devices simultaneously actuated by both of said parts, and m/eans transmitting the energy of the compressed air to said motor.

30. The combination in a gun, of a breechblock, a recoil-actuated part and a gas-actuated part moving toward each other upon the discharge of the gun, means confining air between said parts whereby said air is compressed,and means utilizing the energy of said compressed air to operate the breech-block.

3l. In a gun, the combination of a breechblock and its operating-motor, with a recoilactuated piston and gas-actuated piston moving toward each other upon/the discharge of the gun, means conining air between said pistons whereby said air is compressed, and means transmitting the energy of said oompressedair to the motor. l

in a breech-loading gun, the combination of a breech-block and a motor therefor, with means actuated upon the discharge of the gun for compressing a motivo fluid, and valve mechanism also actuated upon the discharge of the gun and controlling the supply oi' motive iluid to said motor toopen the breech.

33. in a breech-loading gun, the combination of a breech-block, with the motor for operating the same, a source of motive iiuid, valve mechanism controlling the supply of iiuid to said motor, and discharge-actuated meansfor operating said Valve mechanism.

34. The combination of the cradle and the gun longitudinally movable therein and the gas chamber or nozzle longitudinally movable on the gun, with the brake-cylinder hav- .ing one end supported bythe cradle and the thereto., and means controlling the passage of air from said reservoir to the motor.

36. The combination ofthe gun, the gasnozzle movable longitudinally thereon and having a port in line with the bore, valves automatically closing said port-as the nozzle moves forward, and Imeans automatically opening said valves as the nozzle moves rearward.

37. The combination of the gun, the gasnozzle longitudinally movable thereon and having a port in line with the bore, means automatically closing said port as the nozzie moves forward, and vents permitting the gradual escape of the gas from the nozzle after said port is closed. v

38. The combination of the gun, the gasnozzle longitudinally movable thereon and having a port in line with the bore, means closing said port whereby' the gases of discharge move the nozzle forward, means' moving said nozzlekrearwardly and devices auto- IOC IIO

mlatially opening said port',V -npon the rear- In witness whereof I have signed this speci- Ward'movement. of the nozzle. 'oation in the presence of two subscribing xo 39. The combination of the gun, the gaswitnesses. I f nozzle longitudinally movable thereon and 5 bevi-nga port; in line with the gun-bore, means actuated by the gases of discharge and olos l Witnesses.:

SAMUEL N. MCCLEAN.

ing said portmea,ns opening said port, and S. T. CAMERON, devices timing theopening movement. REEVE LEWIS. 

